From Executive Producers Tyler Perry and Armani Ortiz Comes a New Series Surrounding 90’s Atlanta and It’ll Have You Calculating Every “Perimeter”.

Sylvester February 29, 2024

f you’re a lover of all things 90’s, then you’re going to love the new BET+ series “Perimeter”. Described by its executive producer and writer Armani Ortiz as a look at Atlanta on the “precipice of becoming what it is now” this new series is a time machine for those who lived through it. “Perimeter” is a throwback to the ways of life before the internet, when drugs and gangs were on the rise in urban neighborhoods and young adults were dancing in the streets. 

The series stars Ava Mone’t (The Boys), Donavan Christie, Jr. (A Fall From Grace), Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Malcolm Xavier (Wu Tang: An American Sage), Jalen Gilbert, Wes Montez, Jordan Coleman, Sharon Conley, Evan Gamble and Shawn Vaughn.

Here’s the series synopsis:

“In Atlanta, in the 1990’s a complex web of personal stories unfolds. Paige, a promising Spelman sophomore, veers off her path to success when she falls for a “bad boy” just before the pivotal “Freaknik” event. Adulthood disrupts their lives, pulling Paige, her long-term boyfriend Malcolm, and newcomer Romeo into a series of challenges. Amidst Atlanta’s global Olympic spotlight, eventual mayor Robert Dawn’s rise to power comes at the price of personal sacrifices and moral dilemmas. These interconnected stories set off a transformative chain reaction in the city, echoing Dante’s words: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

TRAILER: https://youtu.be/7FIbWy7TizA

Ali plays the mother of Mone’t’s character and the wife of a prominent local politician (Christie Jr.). While she shoulders the burden of being a business woman herself, she must also keep her eyes on a daughter who wants to walk on the wild side and a husband who’s in a bit of his own trouble. Ali, who most will know from her role as Ashley Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, says that it was important for her to take on this more “mature role” and that her acting, through the years, has always mirrored where she was in life.

We were privileged to screen the first four episodes of the series and I have to say, this series is phenomenal! You can watch the series and find out for yourself when “Perimeter” premieres Thursday, February 29, only on BET+.

Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told 

Sylvester February 29, 2024

From Executive Producers Luke Campbell, Jermaine Dupri and 21 Savage, and masterfully crafted by Mass Appeal & Swirl Films, Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told is a celebratory exploration of the boisterous times of Freaknik, the iconic Atlanta street party that drew hundreds of thousands of people in the 80s and 90s, helping put Atlanta on the map culturally. What began as a Black college cookout, soon became known for lurid tales of highway hookups and legendary late-night parties that ultimately led to the festival’s downfall.

At its height, Freaknik was a traffic stopping, city-shuttering, juggernaut that has since become a cult classic. Rooted deep in its history of Civil Rights, thriving Black leadership, and focus on the uplifting of Black culture and education, Atlanta became the only place a festival like this could grow and thrive. Though it ceased over two decades ago, the infamous legacy still resonates through nostalgia and a new generation’s longing for a care-free platform that celebrates and promotes Black excellence, joy and fortitude.

Featuring appearances by 21 Savage, Lil Jon, Killer Mike, Jalen Rose, Too $hort, Shanti Das, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Erick Sermon, CeeLo Green, Rico Wade, Kenny Burns and more, the film offers an intimate glimpse into an enduring legacy, while acknowledging the complexities it introduced into the social fabric and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Atlanta and beyond.

From Mass Appeal in association with Swirl Films, Freaknik, The Wildest Party Never Told is executive produced by Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, Jermaine Dupri, 21 Savage, Terry “TR” Ross, Melissa Cooper, Alex Avant and Tresa Sanders. Geraldine L. Porras and P. Frank Williams serve as executive producers with Porras serving as showrunner and Williams as Director. Eric Tomosunas executive produces for Swirl Films and Peter Bittenbender executive produces for Mass Appeal. The film is produced by Swirl films’ Jay Allen and Nikki Byles.

Dorinda Clark-Cole To Be Honored at BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Awards

Sylvester February 22, 2024

THE LEGENDARY DORINDA CLARK-COLE OF THE CLARK SISTERS TO BE HONORED AS A TRAILBLAZER OF GOSPEL
AT THE 2024 BMI TRAILBLAZERS OF GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS

JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS TO RECEIVE THE CHAMPION AWARD

BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) will pay tribute to the songwriters and publishers behind the best in Gospel at the 2024 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, held at Flourish Atlanta on Thursday, March 28^th. Gospel legend and world-renowned evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole will receive the evening’s highest honor as a Trailblazer of Gospel in recognition of her illustrious career spanning over 50 years and incomparable influence on the genre and beyond. Jonathan McReynolds will receive the BMI Champion Award for his exceptional artistry and impact on Gospel music, marking the first time this accolade has been presented at this ceremony. The private event will be hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.

“We’re thrilled to be recognizing our BMI family of songwriters and publishers for their contributionsto Gospel music and the Gospel community,” said Brewton. “When I think of a trailblazer in Gospel music, Dorinda stands out as a pioneering figure. The Clark Sisters are among the legends of Gospel, and Dorinda’s distinctive jazzy sound lends a unique brilliance to the group. I’m so proud to be honoring her work and highlighting the impact she’s made on the genre and community through her music and evangelism. We’re also paying tribute to one of the most incredible voices in Gospel, Jonathan McReynolds, whose music is often referred to as ‘life’ songs, speaking to the hearts of all. We’re looking forward to celebrating all of our honorees and bringing the community together for an afternoon of faith, fellowship and incredible music.”

Throughout the ceremony, BMI will also recognize the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year’s 25 most-performed Gospel songs in the United States. The BMI Gospel Song,Songwriter and Publisher of the Year will also be named during the inspirational event.

Dorinda Clark-Cole, known as the “Rose of Gospel Music,” is a multiple award-winning singer/songwriter, a talk show host, and world-renowned evangelist. Born and raised in Detroit, Clark–Cole is the daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark, and is best known as a member of The Clark Sisters, one of the most successful and groundbreaking Gospel music groups of all time. Some of the iconic group’s crossover hits include “Blessed & Highly Favored,” “Hallelujah,” “He Gave Me Nothing to Lose,” “Jesus Is A Love Song,” “Pure Gold,” “Expect A Miracle,” and “You Brought The Sunshine,” to name a few. Throughout Clark-Cole’s remarkable career she’s received many accolades as part of The Clark Sisters and as a solo artist, including two GRAMMY Awards, two Dove Awards, three BMI Awards, 13 Stellar Gospel Music Awards and a Lady of Soul Award. The sisters also received a Lifetime Achievement honor at this year’s GRAMMY Awards, which followed a James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the Stellar Awards in 2020 and induction to the Black Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2022. In 2020, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel biopic, produced by Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah, premiered on Lifetime to over 20 million viewers.

Mastering a balance between music and evangelism, Clark-Cole currently serves as International Elect Lady of the International Department of Evangelism (IDOE) to the Church of God in Christ and is the church administrator for Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ.

Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Jonathan McReynolds cultivated his love for music at an early age in church and continues to share his music, heart, and journey as he travels the world professing the Gospel through his inspiring song ministry. The award-winning singer/songwriter has released six full-length albums including his 2018 release Make Room, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel charts, winning eight Stellar Awards and earning two GRAMMY nominations. In 2020, he released, People, which garnered his first GRAMMY for Best Gospel Performance/Song for his hit single “Moving On.” His latest release My Truth (2023) spent several weeks on Billboard’s Gospel charts and earned McReynolds a Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year for his single “Your World” and a GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Album. McReynolds has also received four BMI Awards and was named BMI’s Gospel Songwriter of the Year in 2023.

THE BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AWARDS RETURNS TO TELEVISION ON LIFETIME AS NEW NETWORK HOME

Sylvester February 22, 2024

THE CITY OF ATLANTA TO HOST PRESTIGIOUS BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® AWARDS IN LANDMARK CELEBRATION

 In a momentous announcement, Atlanta, Georgia, has been declared the host city for the 2024 BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Awards, marking a significant milestone as the city becomes the new epicenter for the world-renowned celebration. Over the years, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® has honored the outstanding contributions of trailblazers, entertainers, icons, community activists, pioneers, business moguls, thought leaders, and rising stars. The eagerly awaited BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Awards are scheduled to be recorded live on June 27, 2024, at the iconic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA. This event is set to be the highlight of a broader, city-wide BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Experience, which will feature an array of events and celebrations throughout Atlanta, including The BGR! Expo, and the annual BGR! Film Festival, The BLACK CLOUD Tech Summit and the BGR!FEST concert series, further cementing the city’s status as a cultural hub and celebrating the achievements and spirit of Black women globally.

Beverly Bond, the visionary founder of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, made the announcement on Friday, February 16, at City Hall along with several of Atlanta’s high-profile power broker women executives. 

“Atlanta’s vibrant cultural heritage provides the ideal backdrop for our celebration,” Beverly Bond remarked. “Establishing the BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Awards and the BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® EXPERIENCE in Atlanta represents a critical juncture for our brand. Under Mayor Andre Dickens’ ingenious  leadership, characterized by his dedication to community, cultural enrichment, innovation, and equity, we are laying a robust groundwork for this trailblazing collaboration.” Bond further stated, “Together, we aim to establish the BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® EXPERIENCE as a vital cultural milestone in Atlanta and a strategic partnership that propels both BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® and the city towards a future rich with cultural impact and mutual growth.” 

Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his excitement about Atlanta hosting the BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Awards, underlining the significant cultural and societal contributions expected from this partnership.

“We are thrilled that Atlanta has been selected as the host city for the 2024 BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! is a world-renowned celebration of the incredible resilience, strength, and accomplishments of Black women and girls,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “We know that Atlanta is the city that influences everything and the perfect place to host such a historic and influential event. Atlanta has been nationally recognized for our commitment to championing diversity, gender equality, and inclusion efforts and we believe in the power and promise of women and girls.”Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his excitement about Atlanta hosting the BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Awards, underlining the significant cultural and societal contributions expected from this partnership. 

As Atlanta gears up to welcome BLACK GIRLS ROCK!®, this partnership signals the start of a long-term legacy of cultural celebration and empowerment. It amplifies the event’s mission-driven focus, offering not just a celebration but a source of inspiration for future generations.

Shirley coming to Netflix

Sylvester February 20, 2024

Shirley Chisholm makes a trailblazing run for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination after becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress.

“Do I look like every other politician?” Regina King‘s Shirley Chisholm says in response to being told she sounds like every other politician in the trailer for “Shirley.”

Out March 22, the Netflix film tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, and chronicles her trailblazing 1972 presidential campaign. The movie is written and directed by John Ridley, who won an Oscar for penning “12 Years a Slave.”

“MICHAEL”

Sylvester February 13, 2024

Worldwide audiences received their first look today at Jaafar Jackson in performance as Michael Jackson, bringing to life the “Man in the Mirror” from the legendary 1992-1993 Dangerous Tour.

The iconic photo, captured by renowned photographer Kevin Mazur, was released by Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International, the studios behind the much-anticipated April 18, 2025 film “Michael.”

The choice to have Mazur capture the first-look photograph of Jaafar Jackson is as intentional as so many of the artistic choices the producers have made. As one of the photographers who documented Michael over many years, Mazur captured rehearsals as he prepared to entertain the world with his “This Is It” concerts. He is now also the first to photograph Jaafar Jackson in character as Michael.

“​​When I arrived for my first day on the set of this movie, I was so excited – it was like the first time I went on tour to shoot Michael Jackson,” said Mazur. “When I walked onto the set, I felt like I’d gone back in time and I was walking into the stadium to shoot the tour. Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, ‘Wow, it is Michael.’ The way he looks and acts, his mannerisms, everything – he’s Michael Jackson. For anyone who didn’t have the chance to see Michael perform live during his lifetime – this is how it was.”

“With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael,” said producer Graham King. “He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.”

Director Antoine Fuqua added, “We have assembled an incredible team of artists for this project – hair & makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything – and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film. But most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael. It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it.”

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International have slated the worldwide release for April 18th 2025. The film is now in production. 

Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson will be introduced to worldwide audiences in the starring role of the beloved musical icon. Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer films) will direct the film with Oscar^® winner Graham King/GK Films (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Aviator, The Departed) producing, from a script by three-time Oscar^® nominee John Logan.

Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his most iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known. 

Michael is produced by King and the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain. Lionsgate is distributing the film domestically, while Universal Pictures International will handle all territories apart from Japan, which Lionsgate will oversee. 

Directed by: Antoine Fuqua

Written by: John Logan

Produced by: Graham King, John Branca, John McClain

Cast: Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, with Miles Teller and Colman Domingo



Synopsis: MICHAEL will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, exemplified by his most iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE

Sylvester February 9, 2024

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Experience the day the world went quiet.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY

Allyson Seeger, Vicki Dee Rock

PRODUCED BY

Michael Bay, Andrew Form, p.g.a., Brad Fuller, John Krasinski

BASED ON CHARACTERS CREATED BY

Bryan Woods & Scott Beck

STORY BY

John Krasinski and Michael Sarnoski

SCREENPLAY BY

Michael Sarnoski

DIRECTED BY

Michael Sarnoski

STARRING

Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Hounsou